The yearly "Rassemblement," April 5-7, 2024
Every year, Franco American Programs organizes a “rassemblement” or gathering of Franco American artists, writers, and creatives. This annual event aims to create a culturally supportive space in which members of the Franco-American creative community can share their work.
We at the Franco-American Centre at the University of Maine, Orono are excited to announce our
RASSEMBLEMENT 2024
Lisa and I are delighted to invite you to our annual gathering. We both hope that you will join us.
April 5-7, 2024 (in person)
April 13, 2024 (virtual)
All times in Eastern Standard Time.
Tentative schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT in Orono
Friday, April 5, 2024
4pm: Panel Discussion: Franco American Centre, 50+ years (Josée Vachon, Jim Bishop, Paul Paré have confirmed; we’ve invited a couple others too)
5:30pm: Pot-luck Dinner at the Franco American Centre. Bring something if you can, don’t worry if you can’t. There is always more than enough food.
7pm: Screening and Discussion of “Bien des mots ont changé” This film, made in 1980 by director Daniel Louis (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521858/), includes interviews with Yvon Labbé, Claire Bolduc, and Bob Perrault.
Saturday, April 6, 2024
9am-12pm: Sharing our work: We will establish this schedule once we get a better sense of who is planning on attending, and who would like to share their work.
12pm: Lunch
1:30pm-3:30pm: Sharing our work (or if everyone who wishes to present has already presented, a moderated discussion or a walk in the woods)
4:00pm: Panel Discussion: Franco America today and going forward (Patrick Lacroix, Tom Pinette, Joey Leblanc, Melody Keilig, Camden Martin, Timothy Beaulieu)
6pm: Dinner
7:00pm: Pick-up Jam Session and quiet spaces upstairs for those who want to chat, hang out, and mingle
Sunday, April 7, 2024
10am-12noon: Debrief and wrap-up (in-person, Orono) — Optional informal discussion to wrap-up the weekend, provide feedback, and say good-byes.
VIRTUAL EVENT on Zoom
Saturday. April 13, 2024
10am-12pm: Sharing our work
TO ATTEND EITHER GATHERING, PLEASE REGISTER THROUGH THIS LINK. You will receive further information via email, including the full weekend agenda and Zoom links for the virtual Saturday. Registration helps us establish the schedule and prepare for catering. There is no charge for either event.
Donations are welcome. They make events like this one possible.
Please register even if you have already emailed or called Lisa or me.
We are excited to say that there is a new hotel on campus. We have arranged a block of rooms with them. Our discounted group rate is $129.00 (taxes not included) for either a single or a double. The release date (cut off date to reserve by) is March 22nd.
You can reserve the room through this link. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy.
And, if anyone is interested in staying in Maine on Sunday night to see the solar eclipse on Monday, the hotel will honor the group rates. Orono is not in the path of eclipse totality but we’re close!
If anyone would like to come but cannot afford a hotel room, please let us know. We have a small pot of funds that we can use to help.
For assistance or further information, please contact Lisa Michaud at lisam@maine.edu or (207) 581-3789 or Susan Pinette at spinette@maine.edu
We can’t wait to see you!